Seattle Seahawks player Jeremy Lane joins Colin Kaepernick protest

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Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane sits as the national anthem plays before a preseason NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

OAKLAND — Seattle Seahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane didn’t stand during the playing of the national anthem before Thursday night’s game against the Raiders, joining the protest started last week by 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Following the Seahawks’ 23-21 win over the Raiders at the Coliseum, the fifth-year veteran walked quietly off the field, showing little expression, with fans near the exit tunnel having no idea he had officially joined an NFL controversy.

The rest of the Seahawks, as well as the Raiders, were standing during the anthem.

Lane, in his fifth year out of Northwestern State-Louisiana and despite playing just 13 games in the past two years due to injury, is a projected starter who signed a four-year, $23 million contract with $11 million guaranteed in the offseason.

“It’s totally an individual decision,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “Very interesting issues we’re dealing with right now. It was an individual thing. I’m proud of the progress we’re making in the conversation with our guys and I look forward to continuing it.”

Lane, however, said he hadn’t consulted teammates or Carroll before deciding to take a seat during the anthem.

“I didn’t tell anyone I was going to do it, I just did it,” Lane said.

Lane said he pondered the decision for a week before finally deciding to go ahead with his protest. He said he had not communicated with Kaepernick at any point.

One of Seattle’s more quiet players, as opposed to outspoken cornerback Richard Sherman, Lane said he plans on continuing to sit during the anthem and is ready for any backlash.

“I am prepared for it, and I don’t mean no disrespect toward anybody, and I’m just standing by what I believe,” Lane said.

During the first half, Lane, who sat out along with many other starters, mostly sat on the bench with his arms folded, face devoid of expression.

Kaepernick has not stood for the anthem before any of the 49ers four preseason games, although it went unnoticed until last Friday, his first game in uniform. Thursday night in San Diego, Kaepernick took a knee during the anthem and was joined by teammate Eric Reid. Kaepernick said he is protest racial oppression in America.